Máistir Nádúraí: The First Snow

11.21.2015

The First Snow

"I have not yet lost a feeling of wonder, and of delight, that this delicate motion should reside in all the things around us, revealing itself only to him who looks for it. I remember, in the winter of our first experiments, just seven years ago, looking on snow with new eyes. There the snow lay around my doorstep — great heaps of protons quietly precessing in the earth's magnetic field. To see the world for a moment as something rich and strange is the private reward of many a discovery."

― Edward M. Purcell

The Creek Corridor

The Overlook

The Prairie Parcel

Pheasant Branch, Dane, Wisconsin, US
Nov 21, 2015 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
30 species

Canada Goose
Mallard
Ring-necked Pheasant
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

All images © 2015 Mike McDowell

Bio:

Mike McDowell has been documenting southern Wisconsin’s flora and fauna since 1987 and began leading field trips in 2002. While he is most prolific at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, his explorations extend to other natural gems like Pope Farm Conservancy, Spring Green Preserve, and the Baraboo Hills. His nature photography has graced numerous publications, including newspapers, magazines, a Wisconsin Endangered Resources license plate, a Capital Brewery beer label, and even a National Geographic feature. Since 2005, Mike has been journaling his nature observations on his blog. He is the recipient of the 2012 Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award from the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their local communities or state to promote the field of ornithology. A skilled digiscoper, he was a multiple-time finalist in Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year photography contest. Mike’s interests span insect macro-photography—focusing on tiger beetles, treehoppers, and robber flies—fossil collecting, botany, natural history, amateur astronomy, and long-range rifle marksmanship. A former gigging musician, he has rekindled his passion for collecting Fender Stratocasters, with his prized possession being a 1957 Vintage Custom Shop 'Mary Kaye' White Blonde. After a career in IT, Mike has spent the past 24 years in the sport optics industry.

Disclaimer:

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the author's employer, organization, committee, or any other group or individual with whom the author may be associated. Furthermore, any assumptions, conclusions, or inferences drawn from the content herein are the sole responsibility of the reader. The author disclaims any and all liability for misunderstandings, misinterpretations, hurt feelings, eye-rolling, second-hand embarrassment, or spontaneous combustion resulting from exposure to the contents of this blog. For the avoidance of doubt, this blog is written for entertainment, education, and/or catharsis and should not be mistaken for professional advice, legal counsel, or the inner workings of a well-adjusted mind.